After I'd completed my diorama Carsons Quay I thought I'd get back to my small roundy-roundy layout, but stupidly I said I'd build a suitable Thomas layout by the Silverfox DCC clubs exhibition tomorrow.

We wanted something cheap, simple, easy to transport, you know all the impossible combinations !!

I insisted that it had to be fully scenic, with little direct 'Thomas' influence so it could look good with anything running on it.

The design was for a fully folding double oval with small operating desks at each front corner allowing children to be allowed to drive. My first innovation was for all power links between the two sides to be carried through the 4 hinges that held the two parts together. Track to be in a slight well to prevent any train from crashing to the floor regardless of too fast a running (remember children driving) or being knocked.

A lake on one side to allow a hill on the opposite half to mesh together when closed up.

It seems to have worked quite well and by using a removable two part road the joining hinges and central woodwork is hidden.

First a picture of it in the folded away state with road bridge resting on top and hill beside. This is compact enough to carry inside the rear foot well and back seat of a Daewoo Matiz !!

Here is an overall view from the hill side.

From first buying the wood to those final pictures was 3 Months, during which I also had a holiday in the Netherlands as well as a couple visits to two of my sons.

I notice those last photos were taken just before the road bridge had railings and a little grass edging added.

NOW perhaps I'll get back to my layout ...........

Geoff T.